Israeli forces continued with systematic crimes in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) for the week of 29 March – 04 April, 2018.

The Bloodiest Week After 2014 Offensive on the Gaza Strip

Israeli forces continued to directly target peaceful protests along the Gaza Strip borders which didn’t pose any threat to the Israeli soldiers’ life. 14 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and 1,142 others, including 218 children and 40 women, were wounded.
26 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded in the West Bank.

Shooting:

Israeli forces used excessive lethal force against Palestinian civilians, who participated in peaceful demonstrations organized on the 42nd anniversary of the Earth Day in the Gaza Strip. This day witnessed organizing peaceful demonstrations along the Gaza Strip eastern borders, where ten thousands of Palestinian young men, women, children, and elderlies participated in those demonstrations. On 30 March 2018, the Gaza Strip witnessed the bloodiest day after 2014 offensive on the Gaza Strip, as 13 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed on the same day, while 1067 others, including 208 children and 40 women, sustained wounds, which were mostly classified as serious. The protesters’ activities continued during this week and the Israeli forces continued to daily target them along the Gaza Strip borders. During the reporting period, the number of the killed persons amounted to 15, including a child, while the number of the wounded persons amounted to 1143, including 218 children and 40 women, in the Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, Israeli forces wounded 26 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children.

This high number of casualties in the Gaza Strip, prove that Israeli forces continue their systematic crimes and indiscriminate use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians in disregard for their lives. PCHR indicates that the Israeli forces, by its spokesperson, Avijaa Adraei, sent threatening messages to the Great March of Return’s organizers and to the Gaza Strip population, in addition to deploying Israeli snipers along the border fence.

According to field observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers:

The Israeli forces stationed 30-70 meters away from the border fence and the closest point the protesters reached did not exceed 50 meters to the west of the border fence. Thus, the distance between the Israeli soldiers and protesters can not in any way pose any threat to the Israeli soldiers’ life, especially the demonstrators were unarmed.

PCHR confirmed that the Israeli forces directly targeted a number of activists, who usually demonstrate along the border fence in any peaceful protests, in which they killed 3 of them in the northern Gaza Strip.

PCHR’s investigations indicate that all the killed persons were hit to the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. One of them was hit to the back of the head. This proves that there is an official decision to kill and cause bodily harm to the demonstrators, in which most injuries were in the knee.

Medical sources at the Gaza Strip hospitals stated that most of the wounded persons, who were hit with live bullets, suffered serious tissue laceration and deep wounds, which proves that the Israeli forces used explosive bullets.

Further to what was mentioned above, on 30 March 2018, in new crime of extra-judicial execution committed by Israeli forces without any justification and without the latter posing threat or danger to life of the Israeli soldiers, the Israeli forces killed a Palestinian farmer while he was collecting parcel and wounded another after targeting them with 2 artillery shells while the farmers were in their land around 1000 meters away from the border fence with Israel, east of al-Qararah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

As part of targeting the border areas, on 29 March 2018, Israeli forces fired 3 artillery shells at an open area, east of al-Amal neighbourhood, northeast of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip, and no casualties were reported.

On 30 March 2018, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell at an agricultural land in Gaza Valley (Juhor al-Deek).

On 31 March 2018, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell at an agricultural land in Gaza Valley (Juhor al-Deek). Few hours, the Israeli forces fired another artillery shell at the abovementioned agricultural land, and no casualties were reported.

As part of targeting fishermen in the sea, the Israeli forces continued to escalate their attacks against fishermen in the Gaza Sea, indicating to the on-going Israeli policy of targeting their livelihoods. PCHR’s fieldworkers monitored 4 shooting incidents; 3 in north-western Beit Lahia and another one in Western Soudaniyah, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip.

In the West Bank, on 31 March 2018, a Palestinian civilian was hit with a live bullet to the right knee when an Israeli officer opened fire him. The wounded person was driving an illegal vehicle at the eastern entrance to Qasrah village, southeast of Nablus. His vehicle hit an Israeli police car that was in the area, so ‘Oudah left the car and attempted to flee.

On 01 April 2018, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded while participating in demonstrations against the Israeli forces, who moved into Abu Dis village, east of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). The Israeli forces stationed near the al-Quds Abu Dis University campus.

On 02 April 2018, Israeli forces stationed at ‘Inab military checkpoint, east of Tulkarm, opened fire at Mohamed Subhi ‘Anbar (46), from Tulkarm Refugee Camp, claiming that he attempted to carry out a stabbing attack. The Israeli forces then arrested Mohamed.

On 03 April 2018, 2 Palestinian civilians, from Sabstiyia village, northwest of Nablus, were wounded when the Israeli forces moved into the village and stationed in al-Athar area. The Israeli forces moved into the village to protect hundreds of Israeli settlers. Meanwhile, a number of Palestinian young men gathered to confront them.

On 04 April 2018, 2 Palestinian civilians were wounded when hundreds of Israeli settlers, under the Israeli forces’ protection, organized a large demonstration in Bita village, south of Nablus. The Israeli settlers then performed their religious rituals and Talmudic prayers on the occasion of the Jewish Holidays. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinian young men gathered and confronted the Israeli forces and settlers. As a result, the Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and rubber coated at them.

Further to the abovementioned injuries, during the reporting period 14 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were directly hit with live bullets and tear gas canisters while participating in a peaceful demonstration. The protesters threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed at the entrances to the Palestinian communities in the West Bank. These demonstrations came in the light of protests organized by Palestinian civilians in protest at the Trump’s decision to recognize Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel, continuing the Israeli forces’ settlement crimes, confiscating Palestinian lands, and due to the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Earth Day.

Incursions:

During the reporting period, Israeli forces conducted at least 48 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank and 8 similar ones into Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and its suburbs. During those incursions, Israeli forces arrested at least 41 Palestinians, including 5 children, in the West Bank. 23 civilians, including 10 children, were arrested in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and its suburbs.

Settlement Activities, Demolitions, and Settlers’ Attacks against Palestinian civilians and their Property:

On 29 March 2018, Israeli forces handed 2 Palestinian civilians in Saf area, north of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron, 2 notices to stop construction under the pretext of non-licesning in area C.

As part of the Israeli settlers’ attacks against the Palestinian civilians and their property, on 30 March 2018, Sami Hafiz al-Hraini (21), from Tawanah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, sustained fractures to the right leg after he was deliberately subjected to a run over attack by an Israeli settler.

On 01 April 2018, two Israeli settlers from “Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, flood Palestinian civilians’ lands with wastewater in Wad Shakheet area, east of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron.

On the same day, a group of Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians civilians’ vehicles on bypass road adjacent to “Beit Hagai” settlement, south of Hebron.

On 04 April 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Hafat Gilead” settlement, attacked 5 vehicles belonging to civilians from Fer’itah village, northeast of Qalqiliyia. The Israeli settlers wrote racist slogans on the vehicles and punctured their tires.

Use of Force against Demonstrations in Protest against the U.S. President’s Decision to Recognize Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the Capital of Israel:

Upon calls for demonstrations protesting against the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Presidential Decree to recognize Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel and move the U.S. Embassy to it, Palestinian civilians organized protests against the decision throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Moreover, they also organized peaceful demonstrations in which ten thousands of civilians participated on the 42nd Anniversary of the Land Day in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The demonstrations were named as “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege.” The demonstrations were as follows:

Gaza Strip:

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, 29 March 2017, dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of the al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. They set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a civilian was hit with a live bullet to the lower limbs.

At approximately 15:30 on the same Thursday, dozens of Palestinian children and young men made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of the Gaza Strip in preparation for the Land Day activity known as: “The Great March of Return and Breaking Siege”. The children and young men gathered near the security fence in Abu Safia area, east of Jabalia. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 28-year-old civilian from Khan Yunis was hit with a live bullet to the left leg. He was taken via an ambulance belonging to Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to the Indonesian Hospital and doctors classified his injury as moderate.

At approximately 16:30 on the same Thursday, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered about 250 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north to the yard, which is designated for the Great March of Return” demonstration on Land Day, east of Khuza’ah and ‘Abasan villages, east of Khan Yunis, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. A number of them attempted to approach the security fence to throw stones at Israeli forces stationed behind sand barriers that are 100 meters away from the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them for 3 hours. As a result, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. One of them was hit with a live bullet while the 2 others were directly hit with tear gas canisters.

In the evening hours, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of al-Sheja’eya neighborhood, east of Gaza City, and then headed to Malakah Intersection area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians, including a child, were wounded.

At approximately 06:30, on Friday, 30 March 2017, thousands of Palestinian civilians started swarming to camps established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege” on Land Day. They were about 700 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. A number of them approached the border fence, set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. The clashes, which continued for hours, resulted in killing 2 civilians namely ‘Abdel Qader Mardi Soliman al-Hawajri (42) from al-Nussairat was hit with a bullet to the abdomen, and Naji ‘Abdullah Shehdah Abu Hujeir (25) from al-Bureij was hit with a bullet to the abdomen and he died in the evening hours. Moreover, 166 protestors, including 30 children and 4 women, were wounded. The injuries of 7 of them were classified as serious. They were taken by PRCS ambulances to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Fifteen of the wounded civilians were transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza to receive the needed medical treatment.

At approximately 08:00 on the same Friday, ten thousands of civilians, including women and children, within entire families participated in peaceful demonstrations in commemoration of the 42an Anniversary of the Land Day within the Return March upon invitations by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege. Three camps were established about 500 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City. The Israeli forces fired live and rubber bullets early in the morning in addition to tear gas canisters fired by drones hovering over the protestors. At approximately 13:00, the shooting intensified into the east of Malakah intersection, east of al-Zaytoun in Gaza City. As a result, 4 civilians were killed and they were identified as:

Ahmed Ibrahim ‘Ashour ‘Odah (19) from al-Shati’ Refugee Camp was hit with a bullet to the head, east of Gaza.

Mahmoud Sa’di Younis Rohmi (34) from Gaza City was hit with a bullet to the chest, east of Gaza.

Mohammed Na’im Mohammed Abu ‘Omer (25) from al-Shija’iyah was hit with a bullet to the abdomen, east of Gaza.

Jihad Ahmed Freinah (35) from Gaza was hit with a bullet to the head, east of Gaza.

The total number of the wounded civilians was 337 civilians. Al-Shifa Hospital received 284 wounded civilians, including 70 children and 11 women. One hundred and fifty of them were hit with live bullets and 118 were hit with rubber bullets. Doctors classified the injury of 10 civilians, including 3 children, as serious. Moreover, 53 wounded civilians, who sustained live bullet wounds, were transferred to al-Quds Hospital.

Around the same time, thousands of Palestinians of different ages within entire families started swarming to a camp established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege in al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah. At approximately 10:00, a number of the participants attempted to approach the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the eastern Gaza Strip. Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers about 150 meters away from the border fence sporadically and directly fire live bullets at protestors and prevented them from approaching the border fence. The Israeli forces continued firing live and rubber bullets at the protestors until approximately 20:00. As a result, Amin Mahmoud Mansour Mo’amar (26) was hit with a live bullet to the abdomen. Mo’amar died after he underwent a surgery in Gaza European Hospital. Moreover, Ibrahim Salah Ibrahim Abu Sha’er (17), immediately died after being hit with a live bullet to the neck. As a result, 118 civilians, including 27 children and 3 women, were wounded. Doctors classified the injury of 8 civilians as serious.

At approximately 09:30 on the same Friday, hundreds of Palestinian protestors made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza Strip. They were about 50 to 150 meters into the west of the border fence. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind a sand barriers that is 100 meters away from the abovementioned border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 3 civilians were killed and 228 civilians, including 53 children and 8 women, were wounded. Two Hundred and fifteen of them, including 46 children and 7 women, were hit with live bullets; 12 others, including 7 children and a woman, were hit with tear gas canisters and one civilian was hit with a rubber bullet. The wounded civilians were transferred vi ambulances belonging to PRCS, Medical Services, Union of Health Work Committees and the Ministry of Health to the Indonesian, al-‘Awdah, and Kamal ‘Edwan Hospitals. Medical sources classified the injuries of 10 civilians as serious. The killed civilians were identified as:

Mohammed Kamal al-Najjar (25) was hit with a bullet to the abdomen;

‘Abdel Fattah Bahjat ‘Abdel Nabi (18) was hit with a bullet to the head; and

Bader Fayeq Ibrahim al-Sabbagh (19) was hit with a bullet to the head.

Around the same time, thousands of civilians, including women, children and elderlies, started swarming to camps established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on an area of 20 dunums, which include 20 camps within the “Great March of Return” Activity in the anniversary of the Land Day. Dozens of participants gathered outside the yard and to the north of the sand barriers surrounding it around 200 to 300 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The participants were waving Palestinian flags and some of them attempted to reach border fence where dozens of Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that are around 30 meters away from the border fence. According to field observations by PCHR’s fieldworkers, dozens of Israeli snipers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence sporadically and deliberately opened fire at the participants in the peaceful assemblies causing a number of injuries. After the Friday prayers, the number of participants increased after thousands of busses carrying passengers and people walking on foot arrived at the area. The number of participants was estimated at 30,000 persons. The Israeli forces continued firing live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors despite the peaceful atmosphere in the demonstration and the presence of women and children as the protestors did not pose any threat to the lives of the Israeli soldiers. The observations of PCHR’s fieldworkers revealed that the Israeli snipers stationed behind sand barriers sporadically and deliberately opened fire at the participants in the in addition to firing tear gas canisters in the middle of the peaceful assembly that included large numbers of women and children. the Israeli forces also focused on targeting the participants in the back rows of the demonstration as they were falling one by one around 300 meters away from the border fence in addition to others who attempted in a few numbers to approach the fence. The shooting continued until approximately 20:00. As a result, Jihad Zuhair Abu Jamous (30) from Khan Yunis was killed after being hit with a bullet to the head at approximately 16:30. He was transferred to Gaza European hospital where his death was announced after 3 hours. Moreover, 234 civilians, including 34 children, 18 women and a journalist, were wounded. One hundred and ninety three of them, including 24 children and 13 women, were hit with live bullets while the others were hit with tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. The wounded civilians were transferred to Nasser, Gaza European and Algerian Hospitals in Gaza. Doctors classified the injury of 24 civilians as serious. At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 02 April 2018, medical sources in Gaza European Hospital announced the death of Fares Mahmoud Mohammed al-Raqab (26) from Bani Suhailah after he sustained a live bullet to the abdomen.

At approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 31 march 2018, dozens of Palestinian protestors gathered near the border fence between the Gaza strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip. They set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. The clashes continued until the evening hours on the same day. As a result, 11 civilians, including a child and a journalist, were wounded. They were transferred via PRCS ambulances to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Doctors classified the injury of a civilian as serious while the others’ injuries as moderate.

At approximately 13:00 on the same Saturday, dozens of Palestinians made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza Strip and then gathered into the east of Abu Safia Hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip at a distance ranging from 50 to 150 meters into the west of the border fence. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that is around 100 meters away from the border fence. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets at them. The clashes continued until the evening hours on the same day. As a result, 11 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded. Eight of them were hit with live bullets to their lower limbs and 3 civilians were hit with tear gas canisters.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of al-Sheja’eya neighborhood, east of Gaza city and the headed to Malakah intersection area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood. They threw stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel from far distances. The soldiers fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters at them. as a result, 17 civilians, including 3 children, were wounded.

At approximately 14:00, hundreds of Palestinians participating in the Great March demonstrations gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. A number of them raised the Palestinian flags and attempted to approach the border fence to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers sporadically fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them until approximately 19:00 on the same day. As a result, 6 civilians, including a child, sustained wounds to the lower limbs. They were transferred to Abu Yusuf al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. Doctors classified their injuries as moderate.

At approximately 16:00 on the same Saturday, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered about 250 meters away from the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of “Return Camp” established into the east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. A number of them attempted to approach the border to throw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that were about 30 meters away from border fence. the soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors for 3 hours. As a result, 2 civilians were hit with a tear gas canister to the head. They were transferred to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis and doctors classified their injuries as moderate.

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 01 April 2018, dozens of Palestinian protestors made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza Strip. They gathered in the east of Abu Safia Hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, 50- 150 meters away from the border fence. They set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that were 100 meters away from the abovementioned border fence. The soldier fired live bullets, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. The clashes continued until the evening hours. As a result, 5 civilians were hit with live bullets to their lower limbs. Doctors classified the injury of a civilians as serious.

Around the same time, dozens of protestors gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza Strip, within the “Great March of Return” activities. They protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. The clashes continued until the evening hours. As a result, 2 civilians were hit with tear gas canisters.

At approximately 15:00 on the same Sunday, a number of Palestinian children and young men gathered 200-250 into the west of border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, north of the “Great March of Return” camp established into the east of Khuza’ah villages, east of Khan Yunis. A number of them attempted to approach the border fence to set fire to tire and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that are about 30 meters away from the border fence. The soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at them. At approximately 15:23, Tahreer Mahmoud Sa’ed Wahbah (18,) from Ma’an in Khan Yunis, was hit with a live bullet to the head. He was transferred to Gaza European Hospital and his injury was classified as serious. Wahbah’s relatives said to PCHR’s fieldworker that he suffers from speech disorder. The Israeli forces further continued firing live bullets and tear gas canisters in the area. According to PCH’s observations, a tear gas canister targeted the camp’s yard causing tear gas inhalation to a hundreds of civilians who were in the place, including women and children and entire families.

At approximately 13:00 on Sunday, 02 April 2018, dozens of Palestinian protestors made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza Strip and gathered near Abu Safia Hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, 50-150 into the west of the border fence. They set fire to tires and threw stones at the Israeli forces stationed behind sand barriers that were 100 meters into the west of the border fence. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. The clashes continued until the evening hours. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded. One of them was hit with a live bullet and the other was hit with a rubber bullet.

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian protestors gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Buraij in the central Gaza strip within the “Great March of Return” activities upon an invitations sent by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege in the Gaza Strip. The protestors threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers along the border fence. The soldiers fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded. One of them was hit with a live bullet to the lower limb and the other was hit with a tear gas canister to the right hand.

At approximately 13:30, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of al-Sheja’eya neighborhood intersection, east of Gaza City and then headed to Malakah intersection area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel from far distances. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded.

At approximately 15:00 on the same Monday, dozens of Palestinian civilians participating in the “Great March of Return” gathered near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of al-Shawkah village, east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. A number of them raised the Palestinian flags and attempted to approach the border fence. Israeli soldiers sporadically fired live bullets and tear gas canisters until approximately 19:00 on the same day. As a result, a civilian was hit with a live bullet to the right leg.

At approximately 18:25, Israeli forces stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, northeast of the demonstration yard, east of Khuza’ah village, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, fired live bullets and tear gas canisters at a group of Palestinian protestors who were in the area. The protestors set fire to tires, attempted to approach the border fence and threw stones at Israeli forces stationed behind sand barriers that were about 30 meters away from the border fence. As a result, a civilian was hit with a live bullet to the lower limbs.

At approximately 16:10 on Tuesday, 03 April 2018, Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence killed Ahmed Omer Mohammed ‘Arafah (25) from Deir al-Balah within the “Great March of Return” activities established by the Supreme National Authority for the Great March of Return and Breaking Siege in the Gaza Strip. The soldiers opened fire at t a number of Palestinian civilians who approached the border fence. As a result, ‘Arafah was hit with 2 live bullets to the back that penetrated the chest and to the left hand. He was transferred to al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Doctors announced ‘Arafah’s death immediately after his arrival to the hospital.

At approximately 16:00 on the same Tuesday, dozens of Palestinian protestors made their way to the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern Gaza Strip and then gathered into the east of Abu Safia hill, northeast of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, 50-150 meters into the west of the border fence. The protestors set fire to tires and threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind sand barriers that were about 100 meters into the east of the border fence. the soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors. The clashes continued until the evening hours. As a result, 3 civilians were hit with tear gas canisters.

At approximately 1:15 on Wednesday, 04 April 2018, dozens of Palestinian civilians gathered in the vicinity of al-Sheja’eya neighborhood intersection, east of Gaza City and then headed to Malakah intersection area, east of al-Zaytoun neighborhood. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israeli form close distances. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a civilian was hit with a live bullet to the right leg.

Note: Israeli forces daily continued to fire live bullets and tear gas canisters at the protestors and the areas where they gathered throughout the Gaza Strip. PCHR did not document the shooting incidents that didn’t result in injuries among the protestors. PCHR emphasized that hundreds of civilians sustained tear gas inhalation, and dozens were either wounded or hurt.

West Bank:

Following the Friday prayer on 30 March 2018, dozens of Palestinian children and young men gathered at the northern entrance to al-Birah. They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed at “al-Mahkamah” checkpoint near “Beit Eil” settlement, north of the city. The Israeli soldiers fired live bullets and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the right thigh, a 26-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the left foot, a 20-year-old civilian was hit with a Two-Two bullet to the foot and thigh, a 27-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the right hand, and a 25-year-old civilian was hit with a rubber bullet to the foot. The wounded civilians were transferred via PRCS ambulances to Palestine Medical Complex to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified their injuries as moderate.

Dozens of Palestinian civilians organized protests in al-Mazr’ah al-Gharbiyah villages, northwest of the Ramallah. They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed at the village entrance. The Israeli fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, 4 civilians, including a child, were wounded. They were transferred by Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulances to Palestine Medical Complex in Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Doctors classified his injury as moderate. The soldiers also arrested Mohammed Sa’ed Abu Qare’a (30).

At approximately 12:45, dozens of Palestinians and international activists organized a protest from the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah and headed to the eastern entrance to the village, which has been closed for 15 years. They threw stones at Israeli soldiers stationed at the abovementioned entrance. The Israeli soldiers fired live rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the protestors. As a result, 4 civilians, including 2 children and Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Enaya (28), a photojournalist at Palestine TV Channel, were wounded.

‘Enayah, who was hit with a rubber bullet to the right shoulder, said to PCHR’s fieldworker:

Around the same time, dozens of Palestinian civilians, international human rights defenders and Israelis organized protests in Ni’lin, Bil’in, and Budrus villages west of Ramallah, al-Nabi Saleh and al-Mazr’ah al-Gharbiyah villages, northwest of the city. The Israeli forces used force to disperse the protestors by firing live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters. As a result, a 25-year-old civilian from al-Mazr’ah al-Gharbiyah village was hit with a tear gas canister to the abdomen. A PRCS ambulance crew offered medical treatment to him on the spot.

Following the same Friday prayer, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in al-Laban al-Shaqriqiyah village, south of Nablus. They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed in the entrance to Ramallah-Nablus Street. The soldiers fired live and rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, a 19-year-old civilian was hit with a live bullet to the leg. He was transferred to Arafat hospital in Salfit to receive medical treatment.

On Friday afternoon , dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a protest in Bilal Ben Rabah Mosque area (Rachel’s Tomb) near the northern entrance to Bethlehem on the 42an anniversary of the Land Day. They put stone barricades and tires on fire near the military Checkpoint (300) between East Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Bethlehem. They threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers. The soldiers chased the protestors amidst opening fire. The soldiers raided a restaurant located in the main street near al-‘Ezzah refugee camp and then arrested Amjad al-Qarbi (16). Clashes erupted in the vicinity of ‘Aydah refugee camp adjacent to the abovementioned checkpoint. The soldiers then moved into the camp and chased a number of the children and youngsters. They arrested 3 children after heavily beating them. The arrestees were identified as Ahmed Hatem (13), Ahmed Na’im and Mohammed Atallah (13).

At approximately 16:00 on Saturday, 31 March 2018, Palestinian civilians and International activists organized a protest in the center of Kufor Qaddoum village, northeast of Qalqiliyah near the eastern entrance to the village. They threw stones at Israeli forces stationed at the abovementioned entrance. The Israeli forces fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 2 children were hit with rubber bullets.

At approximately 11:00 on Sunday, 01 April 2018, a group Palestinians organized a protest from the center of Deir Balout village, west of Salfit with the participation of Salfit Mayor, the Civil Defense, Director of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee and other civil organizations into Kherbat Beit Ta’mur, which is adjacent to the border fence and threatened to be confiscated by the Israeli forces. The participant planted olive seedlings. The Israeli forces fired rubber bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at the. As a result, Fares Ibrahim Mohammed Nasser (56), Head of the Labor Department in the Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee, from Deir Qaddis village, west of Ramallah, was hit with a rubber bullet to the right hand.

At approximately 18:30 on Monday, 02 April 2018, dozens of Palestinian civilians organized a peaceful demonstration in the center of al-Nabi Saleh village, northwest of Ramallah. The protestors threw stones and empty bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed at the village entrance. The soldiers fired live and metal bullets, sound bombs and tear gas canisters at them. As a result, 4 civilians were hit with live bullets. Three of them were transferred via PRCS ambulances to Yasser Arafat Hospital in Salfit to receive medical treatment and doctors classified their injuries as moderate. Moreover, Nehad Amin al-Barghuthi (19) via a Magen David Adom’s (MDA) ambulance to a hospital in Israel. Nehad was hit with a live bullet wound to the right side of the neck and doctors classified his injury as serious.

Efforts to Create A Jewish majority

Israeli forces escalated their attacks on Palestinian civilians and their property. They have also continued their raids on al-Aqsa Mosque and denied the Palestinians access to it:

Shooting Incidents:

On Sunday, 01 April 2018, Israeli forces moved into Abu Dis village, east of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They stationed on schools road near al-Quds University campus. A group of Palestinian young men gathered and threw stones and empty bottles at the Israeli soldiers, who heavily fired live bullets, rubber bullets, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs at them. Eyewitnesses said to PCHR’s fieldworker that the youngsters managed to makea crater on the annexation wall near the university, so the Israeli forces raided the university campus and heavily fired tear gas canisters. The clashes, which extended to Ras Kabsah intersection, continued few hours. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) stated that its crews treated around 98 wounded persons on the spot during clashes erupted between the Israeli soldiers and youngsters in front of al-Quds University (Abu Dis). The PRCS clarified in a statement that the injuries were classified as:

A person was hit with live bullets to the leg.

Five persons were hit with rubber bullets, one of them was hit to the chest and 2 others were hit to the head.

Eighty-seven persons were hit with tear gas canisters, 7 of them suffered tear gas inhalation and 5 others sustained burns throughout the body.

At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Surbaher village, south of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They raided and searched a house belonging to Ayoub Nu’man ‘Afana (23) and then arrested him.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into ‘Anata village, northeast of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They stationed at the village intersection and attempted to arrest one of Palestinian civilians, whose name is unknown, but he fled. After the operation failure, the Israeli forces heavily opened fire at a vehicle near the Petrol Station in the village. Eyewitnesses said that a group of undercover units accompanied with Israeli forces opened fire at a vehicle near Abu Khalil Petrol Station, at ‘Anata village intersection, after they could not arrest the targeted person. The Eyewitnesses added that the Palestinian civilian fled and they did not know if he wounded or not due to the heavily shooting. PRCS stated that its crews arrived at ‘Anata village and did not find the vehicle while a large number of Israeli soldiers were in the vicinity of the vehicle. The Israeli forces confiscated the surveillance cameras from the Petrol Station after the incident.

At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into al-Ram village, north occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They raided and searched a house belonging to Bahaa Kan’an and then arrested him.

At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, Israeli forces moved into Beit Haninah village, north of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They raided and searched a house belonging to Mohamed Abu Rmilah and then arrested his 2 sons Ameer (8) and Hatem (10).

At approximately 02:00 on Sunday, 02 April 2018, a large force of Israeli soldiers moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They raided and searched dozens houses from which they arrested 9 civilians, including 6 children. PCHR keeps the names of the arrested persons.

At approximately 03:00 on Tuesday, 03 April 2018, Israeli forces moved into al-‘Issawiyia village, northeast of occupied East Al-Quds (Jerusalem). They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Basel Raied Muhasin, Ma’moun Ahmed ‘Obaid, and Mohamed Abdul Hafiz ‘Atiyah.

At approximately 06:00 on Tuesday, Israeli forces moved into Bab Hatah neighborhood in occupied East Al-Quds's (Jerusalem's) Old City. They raided and searched houses from which they arrested Mo’min al-Hasheem (19) and Saleem Hamouda (18).

Settlement activities and attacks by settlers against Palestinian civilians and property

Israeli forces’ attacks

At approximately 09:00 on Thursday, 29 March 2018, Israeli forces accompanied with 2 military vehicles and a vehicle of the Israeli Civil Administration moved into al-Saf area, north of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. The Israeli Civil Administration staff hanged 2 notices on the house to stop construction, under the pretext of non-licensing in area C. The two notices included:

A 120-square-meter under-construction house comprised of 2 floor and belongs to Sami Ahmed Mostafa Ikhlayil.

A 70-square-meter house comprised of one floor and belongs to Jamal Ghnimaat.

At approximately 09:00 on Tuesday, 03 April 2018, Israeli forces notified Ahmed and Mahmoud Yunis Abu Aiyash to seize their plot of land, which is adjacent to a military watchtower established at the eastern entrance to Beit Ummer villag, north of Hebron, and use it for military purposes. The Israeli authorities claimed that they intend to supply the military watchtower with a power line from a plot of land established in Seder al-Zaytoun area in the village.

Israeli settlers’ attacks

At approximately 15:00 on Friday, 30 March 2018, Sami Hafiz al-Hraini (21), from Tawanah village, east of Yatta, south of Hebron, sustained fractures to the right leg after he was deliberately subjected to a run over attack by an Israeli settler while he was in his relative’s plot of land in Sarourah area. Sami was then taken to Hebron Governmental Hospital. Sami said to PCHR’s fieldworker that:
“ I was along with my 2 cousins and foreigner volunteers in our plot of land in Sarourah area, east of Tawanah village, which is a kilo meter away from “Havat Ma’on” settlement. At approximately 15:00, we saw an Israeli settler diving a motorcycle. He approached us, cursed us and then left the area. After that, 2 Israeli settlers driving a quad bike approached us and they had a bucket, which was full of stones. They then threw all the stones at us and one of them attacked me. As a result, I sustained wounds to my right leg, felt a severe pain, and then fell on the ground. The Israeli settlers then drove the quad bike and left the area heading to the settlement. Meanwhile, my relatives arrived at the area while the ambulance arrived 45 minutes later along with an Israeli police vehicle. It should be noted that the Israeli police vehicle did not intervene. I was then taken to the Hebron Governmental Hospital, where doctors decided to conduct a surgery to place a platinum rod in my leg. In the next day, the foreigner volunteers along with my relative headed to the Israeli police to submit a complaint, but they refused to receive them under the pretext of Jewish holidays.”

On Sunday, 01 April 2018, Israeli settlers from” Gush Etzion” settlement, south of Bethlehem, flood Palestinian civilians’ lands with wastewater in Wad Shakheet area, east of Beit Ummer village, north of Hebron. The abovementioned lands belong to Bahar and Sabarnah families. As a result, the Palestinian farmers endured heavy material losses.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli settles threw stones at Palestinian civilians’ vehicles parked on the bypass road adjacent to “Beit Hajjai” settlement, which is established in Palestinian civilians’ lands, south of Hebron. No causalities were reported.

At approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 04 April 2018, a group of Israeli settlers from “Hafat Gilead” settlement, attacked 5 vehicles belonging to civilians from Fer’itah village, northeast of Qalqiliyia. The Israeli settlers wrote racist slogans on the vehicles and punctured their tires. The vehicles belong to Rebhi Sadeq Ahmed Taweel, Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud Suliman, Abed al-Rahman Mahmoud Suilman, and Hitham Saleh Mahmoud Suliman. Abed al-Min’iem Shana’ah, Head of Fer’itah Village Council, said to PCHR’s fieldworker that: “At approximately 03:00 on Wednesday, 04 April 2018, Israeli settlers came to Fer’itah village, where they wrote racist slogans on five vehicles and punctured their tires. The slogans included: (we as Israeli settlers do what we want without being afraid of the Israeli police or forces ). The vehicles were parking on the main road sides that leads to “Hafat Gilead” settlement.”

At approximately 12:30 on Wednesday, 04 April 2018, hundreds of Israeli settlers, under the Israeli forces’ protections, organized a large demonstration in Bita village, south of Nablus. The Israeli settlers station in ‘Ain Rojan area, east of Bita village. They then performed their religious rituals and Talmudic prayers on the occasion of the Jewish Holidays. A group of Palestinian young men gathered and confronted the Israeli forces and settlers and threw stones at the settlers. The Israeli forces immediately fired tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at the protesters and then chased them. The Israeli settlers attacked Zahran Hasan Hussain Hamayil (24), so he sustained fractures to the right hand and was then taken to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus. The shooting led to the wounding of 2 protesters, who were then taken to Ibn Sina center in Hawarah village to receive medical treatment.

Recommendations to the International Community

PCHR welcomes the UN Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334, which states that settlements are a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions and calls upon Israel to stop them and not to recognize any demographic change in the oPt since 1967. PCHR hopes this resolution will pave the way for eliminating the settlement crime and bring to justice those responsible for it. PCHR further reiterates that the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Al-Quds (Jerusalem), are still under Israeli occupation in spite of Israel’s unilateral disengagement plan of 2005. PCHR emphasizes that there is international recognition of Israel’s obligation to respect international human rights instruments and international humanitarian law. Israel is bound to apply international human rights law and the law of war, sometimes reciprocally and other times in parallel, in a way that achieves the best protection for civilians and remedy for the victims.

PCHR calls upon the international community to respect the Security Council’s Resolution No. 2334 and to ensure that Israel respects it as well, in particular point 5 which obliges Israel not to deal with settlements as if they were part of Israel.

PCHR calls upon the ICC this year to open an investigation into Israeli crimes committed in the oPt.

PCHR Calls upon the European Union (EU) and all international bodies to boycott settlements and ban working and investing in them in application of their obligations according to international human rights law and international humanitarian law considering settlements as a war crime.

PCHR calls upon the international community to use all available means to allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to self-determination through the establishment of the Palestinian State, which was recognized by the UN General Assembly with a vast majority, using all international legal mechanisms, including sanctions to end the occupation of the State of Palestine.

PCHR calls upon the international community and United Nations to take all necessary measures to stop Israeli policies aimed at creating a Jewish demographic majority in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and at voiding Palestine from its original inhabitants through deportations and house demolitions as a collective punishment, which violates international humanitarian law, amounting to a crime against humanity.

PCHR calls upon the international community to condemn summary executions carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians and to pressurize Israel to stop them.

PCHR calls upon the States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC to work hard to hold Israeli war criminals accountable.

PCHR calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions to fulfill their obligations under article (1) of the Convention to ensure respect for the Conventions under all circumstances, and under articles (146) and (147) to search for and prosecute those responsible for committing grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions to ensure justice and remedy for Palestinian victims, especially in light of the almost complete denial of justice for them before the Israeli judiciary.

PCHR calls upon the international community to speed up the reconstruction process necessary because of the destruction inflicted by the Israeli offensive on Gaza.

PCHR calls for a prompt intervention to compel the Israeli authorities to lift the closure that obstructs the freedom of movement of goods and 1.8 million civilians that experience unprecedented economic, social, political and cultural hardships due to collective punishment policies and retaliatory action against civilians.

PCHR calls upon the European Union to apply human rights standards embedded in the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to respect its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights when dealing with Israel.

PCHR calls upon the international community, especially states that import Israeli weapons and military services, to meet their moral and legal responsibility not to allow Israel to use the offensive in Gaza to test new weapons and not accept training services based on the field experience in Gaza in order to avoid turning Palestinian civilians in Gaza into testing objects for Israeli weapons and military tactics.

PCHR calls upon the parties to international human rights instruments, especially the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to pressurize Israel to comply with its provisions in the oPt and to compel it to incorporate the human rights situation in the oPt in its reports submitted to the relevant committees.

PCHR calls upon the EU and international human rights bodies to pressurize the Israeli forces to stop their attacks against Palestinian fishermen and farmers, mainly in the border area.